Life is so expensive right now, especially Groceries!! This taco pasta gives you a delicious family-friendly hearty meal in less than 20 mins for under $20! YUP! Oh and its only 4 ingredients! Now that is a Crazy Busy Mama Win!!
I call this an easy homemade hamburger helper, so it is perfect for those crazy busy weeknights! And would also be a great variation for a Taco Tuesday! My boys absolutely love this one and every bit is gobbled up when I make it! I may even have to double it next time!
This is one of my favorite recipes because it is so affordable and delicious too!
And like I said ONLY 4 ingredients in this taco past recipe!
In the whirlwind of motherhood, simplicity is a precious commodity, and 4-ingredient dinners have emerged as a favorite in my household as I am sure so many other crazy busy mamas on the go.
Time is of the essence and 4-ingredient dinners give us crazy busy mamas a homemade dinner with swift preparation. With just a handful of items, moms can whip up a delicious and satisfying meal in record time. And this taco pasta does just that with ingredients you probably already have one hand. It's a crazy busy mama magic trick that transforms a potentially stressful cooking experience into a breeze, giving moms the gift of more time to spend with their loved ones around the table instead of in the kitchen cooking.
I don’t know a mom who doesn’t appreciate the ability to craft a well-rounded meal with minimal effort. From protein-packed main courses to vibrant veggie sides, these dinners strike a harmonious balance, ensuring that both taste buds and nutritional needs are satisfied.
Simplicity extends to the shopping list, alleviating the burden of navigating crowded grocery aisles. With fewer ingredients, moms can focus on quality, selecting fresh, wholesome options without the overwhelm of a lengthy shopping list.
My hope is with this 4 ingredient dinner it will allow all crazy busy mamas and their family and opportunity to savor the joy of a home-cooked meal without the fuss.
Ok mama, here is how I put together this fantastic easy Taco Pasta!
Ingredients Taco Pasta:
Any pasta you wish, Video shows Rotini
Pace picante – 16 oz
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheese- my favorite is cheddar (could also use mexican blend)
1 Lb of taco meat
I call this a 4 ingredient meal but I suppose if you don't have prepped taco meat in the freezer this would technicially be 5!
And Here is how I did it:
Instructions:
1- Ground up a pound of burger in skillet. You will want to add a taco packet if you don't already have prepped taco meat.
Growing up my mom used to ground beef with a fork… and I use to do the same but realized it scratched all my cookware (she always used stainless steel) and until I found this little chopper it makes cooking up ground beef a breeze! I have it here in my Crazy Busy Mama store along with other must haves for your kitchen… https://amzn.to/3ANgkgb
Instructions for Taco Pasta
2-Boil and strain noodles
3- Shred cheese
Shredding your own cheese? You will love this little cheese shredder and its dishwasher safe too! https://amzn.to/3ppuTA4
This cheese shredder gives you an abundance of shredded cheese in seconds! This is BY FAR the most popular item that sells on my amazon store and there is a reason for that: IT ROCKS. We use this thing all the time and not just for cheese. My Hubby loves to use the other attachment for slicing small potatoes into chips and he deep fires them for home made potato chips! We love this thing!
This cheese shredder is listed as one of my favorites in my 10 KITCHEN ESSENTIALS every Crazy Busy Mama Must have!
4- Mix cooked taco meat with cooked pasta, add in salsa then mix in cheese. I like to cover once everything is combined to help melt the cheese a bit.
Lastly, Pair with a side salad and you have an amazing family style meal on a budget!
It may not be gourmet but it sure is delicious! Hope you enjoy this family friendly meal on a budget! The funny thing about this Taco Pasta recipe is that it has been my most viral meal made so far. This recipe along with Beef Noodles has been the biggest reach on social media… BUT… and get ready to smile and laugh. This recipe here gets my most negative feedback from people who have not tried it! People LOVE to hate on this one. Having said that, if you were to come interview each of my four kiddos about their favorite quick meals that mom makes, this will be on each of their lists! True story!! Moral of the story: Just do your own thing you crazy busy mamas!!
Crazy Busy Mama TIP for Taco Pasta:
Next time you make tacos ground up another pound or two and place it in the freezer for a quick thaw out option for a future dinner! Your future Crazy Busy Mama will thank yourself! Don't forget to label it & date it! You can then make some Taco Pasta whenever you want!!
STRESSED at DINNER TIME? Let me help!
Tried of being stressed at dinner time? I get it I was there too! It was often my worst time of day… but I have found something to help and would love to help you too! If you are looking to ditch the dinner time stress once and for all check out my Crazy Busy Mama Meal Membership! It is the SOLUTION you have been waiting for!
Video Tutorial: Taco Pasta
For those who love a step by step tutorial on how to put this delicious affordable dinner together, here is one just for you!
Also, if you try this recipe and love it I would so appreciate it if you would leave a comment below and rate the recipe a 5-star to let me know how it was! That helps me know what kind of recipes you want to see more of.
“4 Ingredient” Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz Rotini Pasta
- 16 oz Pace picante
- 2 Cups shredded cheese
- 1 lb taco meat
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown ground beef and add taco seasoning
- While the ground beef is cooking, bring a pot to boiling water on the stove top and add 16 oz of favorite pasta.
- Shred cheese and set aside
- Once ground beef is cooked drain grease if necessary.
- Once pasta is cooked strain and place back in pot and add taco meat.
- Once taco meat and pasta are combined add salsa and mix together with shredded cheese.
- Once all combined it is ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
*may contain affiliate links
This looks so good, I’ll have to make it without the salsa as weird as it sounds my husband won’t eat any kind of tomatoes except fresh on a sandwich. So it keeps me from making anything with tomato chunks. I on the other hand love them in everything but it makes no sense cooking for 1
I have made the taco pasta a few times and my 4 teens love it! We are a busy sports family so it’s super quick too!!
Great recipes.
Can’t wait to try this! Looks delicious! Enjoy your recipes. Thank you!
I’m going to make this. We always have leftover taco meat as we are a family of just 2. I can change up the pasta too. Thanks Lori 😊
I SHARED THIS ON MEWE AND FACEBOOK TO A FEW FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN.
Thanks, looks yummy.
I made this last night for my son’s family – they were doing some demo work at their property, and everyone was working hard. I knew my daughter-in-law wouldn’t feel like cooking.
I followed CBM’s recipe to the T. I also doubled the recipe.
I served it with a bowl of coarse chopped fresh cilantro, chopped green onions and a bag of crushed Doritos for some crunch on top. I also put out a carton of Mexican sour cream. It was DEVOURED!
Soooo easy, and realllly realllly good! You know if it’s deeeelish the first day, the flavor will be even better the second day. I have found my forever POTLUCK dish… lol I’m going to try to freeze some just to see how that works out.
THANK YOU CBM! You knocked it out of the park with this one.
So easy, quick and delicious!! Made double for my family of 5 because yummmm!